Tree top adventures

For my 40th birthday, Mark, Jac, Simon and Carmel kindly bought me tickets to Hollybank treetops adventure. Unfortunately, their sister/sister-in-law is a WUSS and HATES HEIGHTS - I know I know, but skydiving is different and NOT about heights. For me, the idea of being up so high on a platform is bad enough let alone jumping off! Anyway, Carmel and Simon took the plunge and used the tickets on the weekend. If I could get past the HEIGHT of those platforms and how SKINNY the tree is (check it out - is that the skinniest tree ever???), I would like to do i,t but I know I would be frozen on the platform! Here are the photos anyway...

Carmel not looking at all scared!

Simon - hang on with TWO hands!

I don't think they could have had a windier day to do it either - very brave!

Pool Party!

Today we had a combined party for Patrick and Lauren's birthdays. Patrick was 10 last Friday, and Lauren will be 9 next Friday - two weeks apart. We had a family party for Paddy last week, and will have one for Lol next week. We booked a catered party at Launceston Aquatic and it was fantastic. There were 3 party organisers that set everything up, played party games with them in the pool and on the playground, organised the food and - the best bit - THE CLEAN UP!

On...

in...and under the pool mat during the games.

Harri had a great time playing water basketball

and the food was great - there was actually silence for a few minutes! Lauren was "wrapped" with the presents she gotand so was Paddy but he had cake on his mind (just for a change!)

Lauren and her BFF Lauren!

It was a great party, and I bet there will be 8 tired kids tonight! I know I'm exhausted!

I'm hoping Lisa will have some good photos as mine are a bit dodgy!

Every Battery you could ever want... and more!

Most of you would know by now, that when I find something I like -

I rave about it!

I desperately needed new rechargeable batteries for my camera, and Kel mentioned a new place on Wellington street called Every Battery. As I was on my way past there yesterday, I called in and sure enough they have EVERY battery you could ever need from mobile and camera batteries, to batteries for cars and boats. The thing I liked most about them is the excellent product knowledge and fantastic service. I'm going to take Teri (My car - a Terios) there next week to get the battery checked - they do that and tell you IF you need a new one rather than just selling you one you may not need. There's heaps of parking in Wellington Street (they are next to Begents) and out the back. Just thought it was worth a mention as I know all you bloggers obviously have cameras, and we all have mobiles and cars, so these guys are definitely worth a look with their fantastic range and competitive prices. Check them out here.

Smile with Sassy!

I entered about 10 photos into the Smile With Centro competition at Meadow Mews shopping Centre and this one got in! I entered last year and a photo of Lauren was a finalist, and my friend Lisa's fantastic photo won! The competition is hot again this year as we are BOTH in it again! You can vote at Meadow Mews or online as from Next Thursday September 3rd - Sunday September 20th.

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*You can see Lisa's photo here

This is what an excited 10 year old looks like!

Patrick has grown AND grown up HEAPS since his last birthday. Today he was VERY excited before school! He's already thinking about next year when his birthday will be on a Saturday - he lives for weekends! We had a family gathering this afternoon with 2 cakes - one for Georgina who was 16 last week, and of course Paddy's 10th birthday cake.

All 147.5cm of him!

Shayne made the cake - a huge four layered milk and white choc mud cake with chocolate ganache - YUM!

The Cousins are having a pizza party/sleepover tonight - 5 kids ranging from 4-16 years -should be fun!

*Please excuse the dodgy photos - still having problems with my camera!

My baby boy is 10!

Patrick William Lithgow born at 4.59 a.m. on 21.08.'99

8lb 8oz

Who's who?

Until Simon and Carmel sent me these photos, I didn't realise how similar Clea (now 4 and 1/2) and Myka (nearly 5 months) are. Can you tell them apart? I think I know!

Not so Gorgeous

Our gorgeous Cataract Gorge took on a new look this week. After higher than average Winter rainfalls, and rain every day so far during August, the Gorge is in flood. Shayne took the kids up to have a look yesterday as I was convalescing at home with nasty tonsillitis.

This is how the Gorge usually looks -

And these were taken yesterday - the path (above) was under water Gone are the lush green lawns AND the swimming pool

That's the top of the swings in the water on the left just below the stone wall!

The view back towards the Tamar River and the City

They then went to Trevallyn Dam for a lookThe volume of water going over the dam wall every second is equivalent to an Olympic size swimming pool - that's every second!

I haven't seen it like this since I was pregnant with Patrick - more than 10 years ago! It is absolutely pouring now with lots of thunder and lightning so I'd imagine there is going to be a lot more water around for a while yet!

*Thanks to my apprentice Shayne for yesterdays specky photos

Don't write them off just yet...

Although I have been a little scathing of their recent performance - I still have faith in "the boys"! They are about to take on the Crows - I've tipped the Hawks by 17 points!

GO HAWKS!!!

Birthday Girl!

I can't believe this little cutie is 16! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGINA!

What can I say?

Well, if a depleted St Kilda team, Buddy's 100th, and a last shot at the finals couldn't spur them on to win, then nothing could. There's nothing to say - oh except where the #*!! was Brad Sewell???

My tip for the Grand Final - St Kilda and the Crows!

I don't think anyone will beat the Saints, but I hope the Crows are there in September!

Bartholomew B Budgie

We are lucky enough to have Bart the Blue Budgie home for the weekend. He is from Patrick's class, and they are kind enough to share with Lauren's class (who are next door). What a lovely surprise it was after school yesterday! Bart is VERY vocal - fortunately he quiets down overnight! Lauren is loving having him at home and feeding him, changing his water and cleaning out his cage. Sassy would quite like to eat him!

Fab Friday and it's OK to dream!

Tomorrow is Fab Friday at Aurora Stadium - the last one for the year! It starts at 2.30pm and Hawka will be there, they have free give-aways, a BBQ and face painting. The "Boys" will train from 3:15pm and sign autographs afterwards. I wont be there as we have parent-teacher interviews after school tomorrow, but I'll be there on Saturday when the Hawks take on the Saints! I'm remembering the semi final last year and really hoping for a similar outcome - it's OK to dream!

GO HAWKS!

World Scout Day

Today is World Scout Day, and we joined with other Cubs and Scouts from within our District for games of Milo Cricket. Cricket Tasmania provided the equipment and some coaching, and the weather was perfect (although a little cold for me taking photos and NOT in my Lazypatch!).

Lauren had a turn at wicket keeping

fielding

Ummm - not sure - maybe practising to be an AFL umpire?

and batting.

Patrick also had a turn at everything and was very good with the bat

and soon warmed up!

It was a great day to get together with other Cubs and Scouts, and to catch up with old friends...

and make some new ones!It was handy being so close to our place, and at the end of the afternoon, the kids wanted to walk home, so we had plenty of exercise! We've been a bit "housebound" lately with all the wet and cold weather, so it's great to have some weather where we feel like getting out and doing things again. Bring on Spring I say!